State fines Williamson County ministry $5K, revokes church status
A Williamson County ministry, whose leadership and financial practices were called into question by former members, is no longer considered a "bona fide religious institution" by the state agency that oversees charitable organizations, and has been fined $5,000.
The Secretary of State's Division of Charitable Solicitations, Fantasy Sports and Gaming imposed the civil penalty against Wayne Jolley Ministries Inc. for using "unfair, false, misleading or deceptive acts and practices affecting the conduct of solicitations for contributions," according to a May 4 letter from the state to the ministry.
A complaint prompted the state division, which monitors organizations that seek charitable contributions, to investigate the ministry, said Jamie Arnett, spokeswoman for the Office of the Secretary of State. The investigation found a tax issue. Since the ministry files a Form 990 with the IRS, Wayne Jolley Ministries no longer qualifies for the "bona fide religious institution" exemption and needs to register with the state under the Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Act.
Controversial Williamson County pastor has died
The ministry and its law firm Gearhiser, Peters, Elliot & Cannon did not immediately return The Tennessean's messages requesting comment. But the fine and status change were disputed in a May 31 letter from the law firm that included a request for a hearing on both matters.
"Jolley Ministries denies any allegations that would support a civil penalty under Section 48-101-502(c) and shows that Jolley Ministries is an active ecclesiastical church and a physical place for worship in Tennessee where nonprofit religious services and activities are regularly conducted," the request for a hearing states.
The complaint filed with the state accused the ministry, which is connected to The Gathering International church, of misusing charitable donations, including for a radio ministry with grossly overstated reach. It also pointed out substantial renovations to a Williamson County residence owned by the late pastor, Wayne Jolley, who died at the end of March. The congregation met in the home.
A Christianity Today report published in December 2015 highlighted misgivings about the ministry, including how it used its funds. The evangelical magazine quoted members saying Jolley required devotion to him and that the pastor had "a history of alleged spiritual and sexual abuse."
The hearing had not be scheduled as of Wednesday afternoon, Arnett said. The May 4 letter notified the ministry of the fine and its status change, and said Wayne Jolley Ministries could receive additional civil penalties if it doesn't register with the state to solicit contributions or donation.
Mike and Debbie Pugh, who are former members of The Gathering International who gave roughly $140,000 to the church, praised the state. The couple were members for about seven years until Debbie Pugh left the church because of its questionable practices, she said.
"I think it's great that the state of Tennessee is holding them accountable for taking money under false pretenses," Debbie Pugh said. "We're happy that the state of Tennessee is recognizing these people that have these con games out and are taking hard earned money from people that are working and doing well here."
Before Mike Pugh left, he said church leadership urged him to break off their 35-year marriage after his wife left. He eventually left to save his relationship with his family, but once outside the fold Mike Pugh said he realized how much of a hold it had on his actions.
"What I'm really happy about is that the state saw fit to tell them they were no longer considered a religious institution," Mike Pugh said. "When we first got out, we really looked at it as a cult. That we had escaped a cult. But the further we get from it, the more that we realize that it wasn't even a cult. It was a con game."
Reach Holly Meyer at 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.